HIKE OF THE MONTH

Amble Through the Pines Arizona Strip's easy Big Tank trail connects to 750-mile-long state-spanning adventure

WHEN DALE SHEWALTER hiked around the state of Arizona in the early 1980s, he wondered about the possibility of connecting all the diverse landscapes and one-of-a-kind historic areas in the state into a one-trail experience. That thought led to the creation of the Arizona Trail, which starts at the top of the state on the Arizona Strip and runs to its southern border at Coronado National Memorial.

"When it's completed," says Arizona Trail Association board member Jan Hancock," the Arizona Trail will link the Old West with the New West across nearly 800 miles and six life zones from Sonoran Desert to alpine."

Hikers can see a bit of Old West in the New West in a Canadian life zone on

PONDEROSA PARK Early morning

sunlight dapples a forest floor thickly covered with ponderosa pine needles near Big Ridge Tank along the Arizona Trail on the Kaibab Plateau in northern Arizona plateau called Big Ridge, just east of the trail.

Wildflowers make a big show along this segment of trail after the summer monsoons have kicked in. Clusters of common snakeweed give hillsides a golden glow colored by several dozen different species of wildflowers inviting feel. Many visitors feel compelled to linger at the location.

Hikers don't have to end their hike at Big Ridge Tank. The Arizona Trail proceeds southward across the Arizona Strip for another 34 miles, through more ponderosa parks, large meadows and aspen forests, to Grand Canyon National Park. If that's

ACHILLES HEAL Western yarrow,

properly named Achillea millefolium for the Greek warrior Achilles, was used by Spanish settlers and Indians for medicinal purposes.

not far enough, they can follow the rest of the trail some 750 miles to points beyond. No need to hike it in one big bite, either. Hikers can experience the rest of Arizona just like Shewalter did-bit by bit. Al A slice of the trail's Arizona Strip segment. This hike gives a one-and-a-half-mile glimpse of the state-long trail that starts at an easy access off U.S. Route 89A. This brief portion travels on a relatively level grade through ponderosa “parks”-ponderosa pines scattered across grassy fields-crossed by forest roads to Big Ridge Tank. The old stock tank, a relic from the cowboy days, gets its name from a rise in the The hike starts on an easy climb up a sun-drenched hillside then relaxes atop the rise. At about mile 0.5, the trail makes a rocky drop onto a logging road and follows the road as it jogs east and continues southward. Along this back-road stretch, silverstem lupines cover the forest floor. The indigo clusters of flowers grow so thick, they exude a sweet lilylike smell.

Arizona Trail signposts direct the way off the road, through more meadows, across another road, and into a final meadow next to Big Ridge Tank, which draws a gathering of wildflowers. Wild roses lean along a rugged old wooden fence, currant bushes drip jeweled fruit and vervain line up along the trail. Big Ridge Tank makes an excellent spot for a picnic. The surrounding forest and a field of waist-high grass and winged buckwheat have an

trail guide

Length: 1.5 miles. Elevation Gain: 100 feet. Difficulty: Easy. Payoff: Wildflower-filled meadow. Location: 160 miles north of Flagstaff. Getting There: From Flagstaff, take U.S. Route 89 north 102 miles to U.S. Route 89A at Bitter Springs. Follow U.S. 89A for 52 miles to the trailhead, which is on the south side of the highway, 3 miles east of Jacob Lake. Travel Advisory: Always carry plenty of water, at least 1 gallon per day per person. Hike this trail in the late spring, summer and early fall months. Winterlike snowstorms may occur as early as September and as late as May with a corresponding drop in temperature. Additional Information: Kaibab National Forest, (928) 643-7395; www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/recreation/ trails/index.shtml; Arizona Trail Association, (602) 252-4794; www.aztrail.org/.